The co-worker or subordinate that is a slacker is a large problem in any entity. These are the people that started early with the "Dog ate my homework" routine and have been at it ever since. We need your input on such problems. Please send us, or leave on the Tip Line (678-201-9575), your anecdotes, success stories, pleas for help, suggestions to solve pleas for help and so forth. We'll keep them anonymous.

We were asked this week about the slacker whose workspace is a pig pen. What to do?

This is a bit of a dangerous one, for if you tell the slacker to clean it up, they may just decide to spend all their time doing just that. Then, when you asked where a certain assignment is, they'll tell you, "But you told me to clean up my area."

The safest answer is to have detailed housekeeping standards for everyone and tell everyone, starting with yourself, that you expect them to be followed and that followup will be done every (fill in the blank on time, but suggest no longer than 2 months). Now, you will find out that most people are slackers when it comes to housekeeping. Here is your first few lines of reasoning to dispell that:

First, we are going to do this because I said so.

Second, ask your housekeeping slackers what is the most difficult and challenging set of management conditions in the world? (Answer: the military--you are expecting your subordinates to make the ultimate sacrifice if required). Once they accept the answer, then ask, "Have you ever seen a disorganized or messy military unit?" The answer, of course, is "no" or at least not on the side that is winning.

Third, point out that studies have shown an organized worker is the most efficient worker. It is also a proven fact that neat and orderly environments turn out the best and most effeciently executed work products.

There is a lot more to the subject of housekeeping than this, but it is a start.